The Patent Prosecution Highway in Conjunction With the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA)

Under the Patent Prosecution Highway, an applicant receiving a ruling from either the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) or the USPTO that at least one claim in an application is patentable may request that the other office fast track the examination of corresponding claims in corresponding applications. The Patent Prosecution Highway will leverage fast-track patent examination procedures already available in both offices to allow applicants in both countries to obtain corresponding patents faster and more efficiently.

The trial period starts on 27 April 2009 and is set to expire 27 April 2011, but may be extended for up to one year or terminated earlier depending on volume of activity and other factors. Both offices will provide notice of any adjustment in the pilot program.

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